Victor Wanyama celebrates his goal against Hull City.

SOUTHAMPTON, September 11 –  Ronald Koeman believes Victor Wanyama has returned to training “a different person” from the man agitating to leave Southampton during the transfer window.

The Kenya midfielder’s request to leave St Mary’s amid interest from Tottenham was steadfastly rejected by Southampton, the south coast club retaining both Wanyama and Sadio Mane.

Saints boss Koeman spoke with Wanyama at length on Wednesday, revealing the 24-year-old is now in line to face West Brom when Premier League action returns this weekend.

Koeman promised to “forget” Wanyama’s transfer request, if the holding midfielder now reaffirms his commitment to Southampton.

“We know that it was a hard fight but I think our statement was very clear to everybody: nobody for sale,” said Koeman, ahead of Saturday’s league clash at The Hawthorns.

“We know the future, Victor knows the future, and I spoke to Victor yesterday and he’s back with a real focus for the team, and if he’s back like that, he’s part of the team.

“When I spoke to Victor yesterday, already it was a different person than he was in the last week of the transfer window.”

Like Southampton, West Brom were able to fend off Tottenham’s advances for one of their top talents, striker Saido Berahino.

Unlike Wanyama, Berahino voiced his displeasure publicly, threatening to go on strike before frayed tempers were calmed.

Koeman praised Wanyama for keeping his counsel in some regards, indicating that level-headed approach left the door open for reconciliation.

“It’s always dangerous to say like Berahino you never will play more for your club, you have to respect the fans, to respect the team and the team-mates,” said Koeman

“But Victor didn’t say anything about that.

“Victor said he would like to move, but now he has accepted he will stay, and I think that’s the good way.

“It’s possible that Victor will start this weekend, yes.

“He understands the situation; he understood how it was in the last week.

“And I think ambition is always a good thing for a player, but okay it happened and I like to go forward.

“If the player shows real commitment to everybody at the club, I can forget what happened in the last week (of the transfer window).”

Southampton’s transfer window resolve was stiffened by Wanyama having two years to run on his current St Mary’s contract.

Koeman admitted the club remain keen to extend that deal, though conceded Wanyama himself holds the cards.

“We know he has two more years on his contract, and maybe in the next few months the club will have a good time to talk to Victor about that,” said Koeman.

“And it’s all about the player: we like to keep the player for more years, but it’s up to the player.”

Asbel Kiprop during the Beijing World Championships. PHOTO/File.

NAIROBI, September 11 – Olympics and three-time world champion, Asbel Kiprop headlines a deep field in the men’s 800m as the 2015 track season culminates on Friday with the second IAAF Diamond League final, in Brussels’ Memorial Van Damme.

In men’s 5000m, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku, fresh from clinching silver in Beijing will be seeking to defend his title while Virginia Nyambura will be out to hold on her women’s 3,000m Steeplechase crown.

With Olympics and World record holder, David Rudisha, missing, Kiprop will be up against Beijing silver medallist Adam Kszczot and bronze winner, Amel Tuka as well as countryman Alfred Kipketer.

Also in the race that is certainly better than the field that competed in Beijing a few weeks ago, are Botswana’s Amos Nijel, Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman and Elijah Manangoi who bagged silver in the men’s 1500m.

Despite failing to make the final at Worlds, Amos will secure the title with a third finish as long as Rudisha doesn’t win.

If Amos finishes outside the top three, things become very interesting, however, as Aman and Tuka could all be crowned champions with a victory.

Amos is the smart pick, however, given that he just ran 1:43.28 on Sunday in Berlin to defeat Aman and Adam Kszczot.

It won’t be easy for Amos, as he will have to deal with Kszczot (who won last week in Zurich), Aman and Tuka (who out-paced him in their last match-up in Monaco, kicking late for the win) plus two 1500 studs moving down in Kiprop and Manangoi.

Kiprop could absolutely win this race as he boasts an 800m personal best of 1:43.15, and though he was running the two-lap race a lot more in 2011, his 1500 season best was just 3:30.46 compared to 3:26.62 this year.

The one concern with Kiprop is that he’ll really have to pay attention to tactics to win in Brussels.

At Worlds and last week in Zurich, Kiprop was content to hang toward the back of the pack, confident that he could outsprint everyone in the final 200 but it won’t be as easy in the 800.

He has dominated the 1500m this year, but it will be fascinating to see how he copes against the 800m specialists in the two-lap race where Amos, will need to finish in the top three to secure the title.

Kiprop’s countryman, Manangoi, will have to be similarly careful. Just like Kiprop, Manangoi employed the same strategy in Beijing and Zurich, using a furious final 100 to take second in both races. Clearly, he has terrific speed, having won a 400 runner two years ago, running 46.5 — but we won’t know how that translates to the 800 until Friday considering there is no record of Manangoi ever running an 800.

-Ndiku title defence-

Caleb Mwangangi (right) during the Beijing World Championships.PHOTO/FILE.

With eight points for a victory, the entire field has a shot to win trophy, the men’s 5000m features eight of the top nine finishers from Worlds minus Olympics and world double distant champion, Mo Farah.

Ndiku and third Beijing bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet of Ethiopia should be the men to beat here.

The Commonwealth Games champion, who was seventh in a slow 1500 in Zurich last week, showed a terrific turn of speed to make the race at Worlds, could be at a slight disadvantage if things go really fast (he only began racing again in July following a knee injury), athough Gebhriwet, his chief opposition, has also been banged-up this year.

The pair, plus Worlds fourth-placer Yomif Kejelcha, have all won one DL race this year (Gebrhiwet and Ndiku’s victories were at 3,000) and they have the best shot at winning.

-Nyambura-

Based on her three Diamond League victories (Ayalew and Kiyeng have one each), the 22-year-old Nyambura only needs to finish third to clinch the title.

Last year’s world number1, Ayalew and world champion Hyvin Kiyeng are the only women who can catch Nyambura, but to do that, they would need to win the race and have Nyambura finish fourth or lower.

That’s going to be tough considering Nyambura hasn’t finished lower than third in her five DL races in 2015.

There is hope, however: Nyambura was only seventh at Worlds, and five of the six women who beat her (including Kiyeng and Ayalew) will be on the line in Brussels.

Kiyeng and Ghribi also went 1-2 in the final pre-Worlds DL meet in Monaco (running the fastest two times in the world this year; unlike Worlds, Ghribi won that won).

Kiyeng obviously has a lot more to run for she’ll take home Sh5.3m (USD50, 000) for the win if Nyambura is fourth or lower; a win would earn Ghribi only USD 10,000 but Ghribi was in a similar position last year and still won the DL final in Zurich.

Sixteen more Diamond Race trophies will be handed out, including the men’s 100m, triple jump, women’s 200m, 100m hurdles, women’s mile and 400m.

The winner of each Diamond Race title takes home Sh4.2m (USD40, 000) and when you add in Sh1.5m (USD10, 000) for a victory on the day, some athletes will be earning Sh5.3m (USD 50,000) for an evening’s work.

-IAAF material used to compile the report-

Genzebe Dibaba in her 1500m heat at the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015. PHOTO/IAAF

NAIROBI, September 12 – World Champion silver medallist, Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon smashed the African record as Virginia Nyambura clinched the 2015 IAAF Diamond League title when the season concluded at the Memorival Van Damme meeting in Brussels on Friday.

Last week 16 winners were crowned in Zürich, another 16 joined them in Brussels with Nyambura the only Kenyan to be crowned on the finale in an event where Beijing men’s 5000m silver medallist, Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku failed to retain his title.

The world record attempt didn’t quite materialise in the women’s mile where Ethiopian-born-Dutch, Sifan Hassan was hoping to challenge it in the women’s mile.

However, as the European champion fell six seconds short of her target, it was sensational, Kipyegon, fresh from bagging silver in Beijing World’s women 1500m who passed her in the last 100 metres to set a new African record.

With women’s 1500m world record holder, Ethiopian Gezebe Dibaba missing, World indoor 800m champion Chanelle Price did the early pace making, passing 400m in 1:02.61 and 800m in 2:05.69.

Once she had dropped out, Kipyegon challenged Hassan for the lead as the pace dropped on the third lap.

Hassan regained the lead after passing the bell, but Kipyegon kicked again in the closing stages and finished one-and-a-half seconds ahead of her rival in 4:16.71, breaking the African record with the fastest time in the world for 19 years.

Hassan held on for second with a national record of 4:18.20 to secure her victory in the Diamond Race.

As was the case in Monaco earlier in the year, USA’s Shannon Rowbury beat compatriot Jenny Simpson, 4:22.10 to 4:22.18.

-Nyambura crowned-

After failing to make it to the podium in Beijing, Nyambura consoled herself by lifting the women’s 3000m title despite finishing seventh in Brussels behind Tunisian, Habiba Ghribi who won the race after setting a new African record.

Ghribi’s main aim was to simply better her own world-leading mark as she sought to gain redemption after missing gold at the worlds.

But she didn’t just set a world lead; she set a meeting record, an IAAF Diamond League record and an African record, going to second on the world all-time list.

One of the pace makers led the field through the first 1000m in 3:03.19 with Ghribi biding her time behind world champion Hyvin Jepkemoi and fellow Kenyan Nyambura.

The pace remained constant through the second kilometre as Nyambura led the field with the clock reading 6:06.49.

Ethiopia’s Hiwot Ayalew took a turn in the lead, but then seemed reluctant to force the pace for the last few laps.

That’s when Ghribi took matters into her own hands. The Tunisian hit the front and began to pull away from the rest of the field.

She was away and clear on the last lap and charged through the line in 9:05.36, the fastest time in the world since Gulnara Galkina set the world record in 2008.

Outside of the World Championships, it was just the second race of Ghribi’s season. But despite winning both of those, she didn’t earn enough points to catch Nyambura in the Diamond Race.

Jepkemoi held on for second place in a personal best of 9:10.15 while Assefa came through on the last lap to take third in 9:12.63.

“In the beginning I didn’t want to waste too much energy,” said Ghribi. “I felt really good and capable of beating my PB, but to get the national record and the meeting record is just fantastic. Tonight everything was perfect.”

-Ndiku beaten-

The third world lead of the night came in the men’s 5000m.

The Diamond Race standings in this event were so open that whoever crossed the line first in Brussels would take the series title. World silver medallist Caleb Ndiku was perhaps the marginal favourite coming into the race and he was in contention for most of it.

Vincent Rono took the field through 3000m in 7:47.88 but the pace remained constant after he dropped out. Five men were still in contention at the bell, but Ndiku was the first of those to fade, seemingly giving up on the back straight.

World junior champion Yomif Kejelcha kicked hard with 200 metres to go and was challenged by fellow Ethiopian and world bronze medallist Hagos Gebrhiwet.

But, unlike at the World Championships, Kejelcha didn’t let his older compatriot pass him on this occasion and held on for the win in a world-leading 12:53.98.

Gebrhiwet clocked 12:54.70 in second, while Abdalaati Iguider (12:59.25) and Thomas Longosiwa (12:59.72) also dipped inside the 13-minute barrier.

In the men’s 800m, Adam Kszczot held off strong challenges from Nijel Amos and Amel Tuka to win in 1:45.12. Amos was second in 1:45.25, 0.2 ahead of Tuka.

World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop was well beaten down in 10th, clocking 1:47.09, one place ahead of world 1500m silver medallist Elijah Manangoi.

-Material from IAAF used to compile these report-

Roger Federer gestures after match point against Stan Wawrinka during their 2015 US Open men’s singles semi-finals on September 11 in New York. PHOTO/AFP

NEW YORK , September 12 – Roger Federer hopes to ride a wave of emotion as he targets a sixth US Open title and 18th major Sunday in a “straight shootout” against world number one Novak Djokovic.

Federer, 34, is bidding to become the oldest champion in New York since 35-year-old Australian Ken Rosewall in 1970.

Playing in his 27th Grand Slam final and seventh at the US Open, Federer, the champion from 2004-2008 and runner-up in 2009, is a man reborn.

After losing his second Wimbledon final in succession to Djokovic in July, the Swiss veteran beat the Serb on his way to a seventh Cincinnati Masters crown.

He has also not dropped a set since his All England Club defeat, a stretch of 28 sets.

At the US Open, he has held serve in 80 of 82 games and has stunned opponents with his new ‘SABR’ (‘Sneak Attack By Roger’) chip-and-charge tactic.

His semi-final demolition of French Open champion and compatriot Stan Wawrinka was as brutal as Djokovic’s dismantling of defending champion Marin Cilic.

The top seed allowed the Croatian just three games in the most lopsided semi-final in tournament history.

Federer also has the crowd on his side as he pursues his first Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012.

“I definitely think if there would be more on my side that will give me a lift and extra energy and momentum possibly. That could swing the match a little bit,” said Federer, aware that despite his status as world number one, Djokovic often struggles to command a crowd’s respect.

“But other than that, obviously Novak is a great player. Both of us have played in all tough conditions, and you’ve got to play well to beat him. There is no question about that.”

There could be spiky sub-plots.

Djokovic has been almost dismissive of Federer’s new chip-and-charge off a second serve.

“I haven’t considered doing that. It’s an exciting shot for him. For the player opposite side of the net, not so much. So I have nothing else to say about that,” said the Serb on Friday.

Federer takes a 21-20 lead over Djokovic into Sunday’s final.

He also leads 3-2 in US Open meetings — including the 2007 championship match — but Djokovic won the last two, in the 2010 and 2011 semi-finals.

Both those went to five sets.

Federer says he knows what to expect from Djokovic, claiming that Rafael Nadal was the player who tested him the most.

“With Novak it’s been more straightforward. That’s what I like about the rivalry. I feel like he doesn’t need to adjust his game as much,” said the Swiss.

“I think it’s just a straight shootout, and I think that’s the cool thing about our rivalry.

“It’s very athletic. We both can handle each other — whatever we present to one another, and I think our matches, it’s very even.”

Djokovic will be playing in his sixth US Open final, having been champion in 2011 and his 18th in all Grand Slams.

Sunday’s meeting will be the pair’s sixth of 2015, all in finals.

Had it not been for Wawrinka playing the match of his life in June to defeat Djokovic and claim the French Open title, the Serb could have been pondering history on Sunday with a calendar Grand Slam.

“We we all know how consistent Roger is and how good he is in the latter stages of a Grand Slams and any other big tournament,” said Djokovic, a nine-time major winner.

“He’s always going to perform on a high level. Rarely he drops his level. He always makes you play your best.

“I know that he’s also lately being very aggressive coming to the net, mixing up, and trying to shorten out the points. I think also he improved his speed.

“His defensive game is better than it was. Maybe healthier.”

Wawrinka, having lost for the 17th time against his compatriot, believes Federer is playing some of his best tennis.

“If he keeps this level, he’s going to be tough to beat,” said Wawrinka.

AFC Leopards’ Erick Masika fights for the ball with Western Stima’s Daniel Makachi on September 12 at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium.

NAIROBI, September 12 – Troubled AFC Leopards bounced back to winning ways after overcoming visitors Western Stima 1-0 in a SportPesa Premier League match played behind closed doors at Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium on Saturday.

Midfielder, Bernard Mang’oli gave 10-men Leopards the winner from the spot in the 39th minute to help his team collect maximum points after going six matches without a win.

Ingwe, were honoring one of their two match ban ordered by the Kenyan Premier League Independent Disciplinary and Complaints Committee after it fans caused trouble in their match away to Thika United in June.

The match saw the return of head coach, Zdravko Logarusic who missed their previous 2-1 defeat to bogey side Chemelil Sugar with the Croatian making four changes.

“I had only 16 players available and with those numbers you need to play around with the team. I’m happy we won, it was important and my players did their best,” Logarusic underlined after the win.

His opposite number Henry Omino blasted his blunt forward line for squandering the chances in a match that saw them succumb to their second successive loss after going down 2-0 to Ulinzi Stars on Wednesday last week. “The result does not reflect the true nature of the match because we dominated but our attack was blunt. It is one area we want to improve on even as we continue working for a top five finish,” Omino, noted.

It was a game of two halves with Leopards commanding proceedings in the opening half while the visitors were better on the restart though they were not effective in attack.

Logarusic’s line-up that saw skipper, Jackson Saleh return from suspension, raised a few eyebrows after he put defender Erick Masika deep midfield, with Mike Khamati being played as a lone striker.

Ingwe, were organized and tactically better than Stima and after four minutes of play, Ivan Anguyo had a good opportunity from the set-piece but he skied his effort.

The best chance would come in the seventh when Dancun Otieno floated in a fine cross from the left to find Mang’oli who headed in but Stima keeper, Gabriel Andika tipped it over.

The resultant corner saw Andika thwart Anguyo’s attempt from a volley at the edge of the box with Saleh rattling the cross bar from the rebound.

At the quarter hour mark, Leopards were forced to introduce Khalid Jumaan for Otieno who limped off injured but even before he could settle, Stima had two open chances but Wesley Kemboi missed the low cross from John Kiplagat.

Ingwe, were rewarded for their improved display five minutes to the breather after Daniel Makachi hacked down Khamati inside the box to see Mang’oli step up to convert for the opener.

The host sat back on resumption but Stima kept on attacking with Kemboi coming close, this time brushing his header onto the crossbar from Eston Esiye corner.

Omino made changes bringing in David Okello for Esiye and Fred Nyarombo for Baron Oketch but despite mounting pressure on their hosts, they were not lucky to hit an equalizer.

Leopards finished 10 men when Joseph Njuguna was sent off for a second bookable offense but his side held on to pick the win and climb back to fifth on 38 points, five ahead of Stima who remain pegged ninth.

Tusker FC’s Noah Wafula in action at a previous SPL clash. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, September 12 – Lawrence Kasadha condemned former champions, Tusker FC to their sixth successive match without a win after netting the winner for Bandari’s 1-0 victory in a SportPesa Premier League encounter hosted at Mombasa County Stadium on Saturday.

In Awendo, Hamidu Kwizera and Marwa Chamberi were on target as Sony Sugar beat GOtv Shield Champions 2-0.

Elsewhere, Muhoroni Youth climbed to fourth on the log after Oscar Oketch scored the winner in their 1-0 win over Mathare United.

In the early kick-off, Tusker custodian, Martin Musalia’s school boy error at the half hour mark gifted the Dockers maximum points to see them bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to champions, Gor Mahia.

Unsettled Musalia who joined the Brewers mid season from AFC Leopards, could have handed the host a double in the second half when he miscalculated Anthony Kimani’s cross that flipped off his hands to see him collect the ball that had crossed the line.

George Abege pleaded for the goal but referee, Moses Osano waved play on, although replays showed the ball had crossed the line.

Tusker head coach, Francis Kimanzi blamed the pitch for their loss but was upbeat they will end their poor run that has seen the title evade him for the second season in charge of the 10-times champions.

“We were unlucky. We can’t complain because the surface was not good and it’s something that we cannon train on. We created our chances but we didn’t score.

“It took us time to adjust since we were playing away and the field made it more difficult because it was unfavorable, even you can tell from the nature of the goal they scored. We tried everything but it didn’t work but these winless run will end but we can’t force it,” Kimanzi, a former Harambee Stars head coach, stated after the loss.

Bandari boss, Twahir Muhiddin was a happy man after inching closer to securing the top eight slot as they climbed to seventh on 38 points, same as Tusker who have a better goal difference although they dropped fifth.

“We are happy to break the jinx and I hope it continues like these in the remaining three matches. Our players tried and I feel sorry for my colleague, it’s our day today. My players had self confidence but we have to improve on our defence since Tusker created a lot of chances.”

The first-half belonged to the hosts who dominated the entire proceedings that reduced Tusker to a pale shadow of themselves as they did not have a shot on target compared to Bandari’s four.

Duncan Otewa displayed a man of the match performance with his pin point crosses from the right that could have seen Kasadha bury home but the in-swingers went wastage since the former City Stars forward could not arrive in the box in time.

Muhiddin charges could have gone ahead in the 18th but winger, Noah Wafula came to Tusker’s rescue when he cleared Abdul Latiff Omar’s cross off the line.

James Situma was called to action twice to keep his side alive after Musalia missed to get his hands on the crosses but the former AFC Leopards defender could do nothing at the half hour mark.

Musalia paid for his mistakes when his poorly cleared back-pass was returned by Kasadha from the midfield to see the ball bounce over the Tusker keeper who was rushing back to his goal line, but it was too late as he haplessly watched the ball roll into the net.

The last chance for Bandari came on the stroke of half-time but this time round, Musalia had good anticipation to stop Kimani who was put through by David King’atua.

Musalia tipped over Abdul latiff Omar’s set piece on the resumption as Kimanzi introduced Clifford Alwanga for Emmanuel Ngama on resumption as .

In the 65th, Tusker survived after Musalia seemed to have collected Kimani’s attempt that had crossed the line but the referee waved on.

Bandari keeper, Joseph Okoth denied Humphrey Mieno who had pulled a trigger after finding space outside the box.

Kimanzi withdrew midfielder Brian Osumba for winger, Danson Kago as Muhiddin responded by bringing on Shaban Kenga for King’atua.

Tusker’s surge for equaliser was thwarted as Bandari held on for the win at home.

Isabella Ochichi wins the Cape Town Marathon.PHOTO/IAAF

CAPE TOWN – September 20 – Isabella Ochichi and Shadrack Kemboi achieved a Kenyan double at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, winning the women’s and men’s contests respectively at the IAAF Silver Label Road Race on Sunday.

On a day when humidity was between 70-80%, Ochichi recorded a personal best of 2:30:20 to take 37 seconds off the course record set last year by Meseret Biru.

Kemboi, who finished fourth in this race last year, made it to the top of the podium this time with a winning performance of 2:11:41.

Ochichi had Bahrain’s Eunice Chumba for company in the first half, which was covered in 1:14:22, well inside course record pace.

Chumba then began to fade, leaving Ochichi to run alongside some male athletes as she completed the race in 2:30:20.

It took more than a minute from the 2:31:38 PB she set on her marathon debut in Amsterdam.

It was also her first marathon victory after finishing fourth in Amsterdam in 2013 and third in Honolulu in 2014.

“I always wanted a marathon victory,” said Ochichi, the 2004 Olympic 5000m silver medallist.

“I thought that it would come in Honolulu in 2014, but I got it today on my home continent – Africa – and I couldn’t be happier.”

Chumba finished second in 2:33:12 and Jemila Shure from Ethiopia was third in 2:37:52.

After an hour and a half of running in the men’s race, a group of nine athletes were still together. South Africa’s Lungile Gongqa was the first to try to make a break, but he was reeled back in after a few minutes.

Nevertheless, his injection of pace helped to break up the leading pack.

Just a few minutes later, Kemboi was the next to make a move. He hit the front and soon opened up a gap on the field, one which grew until the finish line.

Within a matter of moments, he was away and clear out in front and he eventually crossed the line in 2:11:41.

After a 1:07:01 first half, the second half was significantly quicker with Kemboi covering the final 13.1 miles in 1:04:40.

All three of his marathon victories to date have all been on South African soil, having won in Soweto in 2012 and Johannesburg in 2013.

Gongqa was second in 2:11:59 with fellow South African Michael Mazibuko taking third in 2:12:29. Kenya’s Peter Kamais was fourth in 2:14:08 while Japan’s Yuki Kawauchi was ninth in 2:16:33.

Former New York Marathon champion Hendrick Ramaala was 10th in 2:17:12.

In only its second year, the race boasted a mass field of 5728 with entrants from the USA, Germany, UK, Sweden, Canada, Ethiopia, Namibia, Zambia and Japan.

“We are delighted with these performances,” said race ambassador Elana Meyer, the 1992 Olympic 10,000m silver medallist.

“African runners are being given an opportunity to compete at the highest level without travelling to Europe or the United States, and this was one of our goals when the race was relaunched last year.”

Meddie Kagere (center) celebrates after scoring a double in their GOtv Shield match against Ushuru FC on September 20. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, September 20 – Champions Sofapaka were bundled out of the GOtv Shield knock out tournament after National Super League side, Administration Police FC stunned them 5-3 on post match penalties in the Round of 32 on Sunday.

Elsewhere, newly crowned SportPesa Premier League winners, Gor Mahia sent 10-men Ushuru FC packing in a hard fought 3-2 victory with Meddie Kagere lifting K’Ogalo with a brace.

In the early kick-off at Kasarani, Jesse Were notched a hat-trick to help Tusker FC maul Eldoret based GFE 105 FC 5-0 to book a date with Nzoia FC in the Round of 16.

Muhoroni Youth edged out KCB 4-2 on post match penalties whilst FKF Premier League side, Nakumatt FC progressed after overcoming Nairobi City Stars 3-1 on spot kicks.

At Nairobi’s Ruaraka Grounds, Sofapaka had a nightmare outing after AP rallied a goal down to hold them 1-1 in regulation time to force the tie to penalties.

AP keeper, Preston Omondi saved Heritier Luvalu’s kick whilst Jesee Wabale, Geoffrey Muhando, Christopher Gathara, Robert Jakero and Julius Kavoo converted for the third tier side.

Felly Mulumba, Ezekiel Odera, and Erastus Mwaniki scored for Sofapaka.

Veteran forward, John Baraza netted the opener for Batoto Ba Mungu in the 38th minute when he turned in a Fuadi Ndayisenga corner-kick.

AP found their leveller 10 minutes to the final whistle through Muhando who converted from the spot after Luvalu hacked down Salim Mzee.

Batoto Ba Mungu who have gone six matches without a win, only have the KPL top 8 knock-out cup to fight for after failing to charge for the SportPesa Premier League title.

-Gor through-

Gor enhanced their chances of clinching a treble this season after Kagere added on Collins Okoth’s fifth minute opener to see the 2012 domestic cup winners progress to the Round of 16 where they will meet Palos FC.

“We predicted a tough match because Ushuru have been trying to beat us. We had a busy week after winning the league so we have played three games in six days and all those things added up, we are pleased with the win.

“We dropped the tempo in the first-half but we did what was necessary after upping our game,” Gor head coach, Frank Nuttall underlined after the match.

His opposite number, Ken Kenyatta blamed the defeat on Joseph Shikokoti’s sending off in the 66th minute after the defender was booked for the second time.

“In a game, there is either a win, draw or loss, so today things didn’t turn to our favour. I concede the defeat but I will go back and form a formidable team that can beat Gor. The red card was not fair because Shikokoti was not near the ball when the foul occurred but I’m happy with my player’s performance.”

Gor took the lead when Okoth tapped the ball home off a deflection from Ushuru defender Philemon Otieno in a move started by Innocent Wafula from the left.

Otieno made the amends three minutes later when he fed former AFC Leopards forward, Mohammed Hassan, to smash home from inside the area for the leveller.

Michael Olunga, George Odhiambo and Innocent Wafula came close for K’Ogalo before unmarked Kagere restored the lead on the stroke of half-time when he nodded past keeper, Samuel Odhiambo from a Karim Niizigiyimana pin-point cross.

Olunga lit up the second half when his long range thunderbolt brought out a brilliant save from Odhiambo.

The taxmen were back in the game in the 55th when Hassan notched his double after making good use of Otieno’s defence splitting pass to dance past Musa Mohammed before bringing the ball to his favourite right foot and shooting home.

Ushuru suffered a blow when they were reduced to ten men when Shikokoti elbowed Khalid Aucho who had set up Kagere before referee, Anthony Ogwayo denied them the advantage after the Gor striker had hit the target.

Gor exploited the dismissal of the former Leopards defender with Kagere handing the most decorated club in the country a deserved winner in the 74th when Odhiambo spilled a Godfrey Walusimbi cross from the left to fire in from the rebound.

Sofapaka players in a previous KPL clash. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, September 21- Tribulations of Sofapaka FC this season after running SportPesa Premier League winners Gor Mahia close last term are another sad example of how quickly it can unravel in football when money flow runs thin.

The Elly Kalekwa owned-outfit stormed to the top flight in 2009 in the most astounding of fashions when they won the title with swagger and panache that swept away traditional giants Gor, AFC Leopards, Tusker and Ulinzi Stars as they threatened to establish a new order in domestic football.

At the time, every side in the division turned green with envy, the club’s players and coaches enjoyed best salaries, allowances and bonuses as Kalekwa was hailed the local Roman Abramovich- after the Russian Oligarch who turned English Premier League champions Chelsea from also-rans to upset established titans, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, the bubble started to burst last season when it emerged the club’s staff were going unpaid or getting salaries late although the downturn was masked by a title-run that ended on the last day of the campaign.

There has been no hiding place this time with Ugandan head coach, Sam Timbe, the quiet tactical genius who held their challenge together gone when the club could no longer afford him.

“This season we are not doing well but it’s normal because we cannot win every cup. Finances have been a big stumbling block to our team just like the other 15 KPL clubs and I believe we are performing dismally because I’m not around to motivate them.

“We lost good players like Fiston Abdul Razak and its taking time for new ones to combine but all is not lost. We will find our way back to the top,” the flamboyant Batoto Ba Mungu boss told Capital Sport on Monday.

Timbe’s departure to rejoin his former Uganda side, Police FC piled more misery to the three-time domestic cup winners but Kalekwa maintains he has faith in his assistant, David Ouma as he shops for a replacement for the 2014 KPL Coach of the Year runners-up.

“I declined to extend his contract because he was very expensive but we don’t regret since the team was second under Ouma when he joined, so let’s see how the season ends. We have moulded international players like Danson Kago whom we worked with for four years.

“Another is Bebeto Lnamba we have loaned to Nakuru All Stars. He has now seven goals but Timbe didn’t give him a chance. Whatever God will give us this season, we will take,” the Congolese-born business man noted.

Sofapaka had a slow start at the beginning of the season when players went on go slow demanding salary and bonus arrears and after Timbe, whom most adopted as a father departed, they have gone five matches without a win as they desperately hang on to third on 42.

Arguably their darkest day of their campaign came on Sunday when they were knocked out of the GOtv Shield by National Super League side, Administration Police 5-3 on post match penalties to end their hold on the crown they won last season.

Batoto Ba Mungu became the first club in the country to inch closest to the re-modeled CAF Confederations Cup when they lost the play-off for the lucrative group stages to Egypt’s Ismaily.

Having surrendered the DSTv SuperSport Cup to K’Ogalo, failed to challenge for the league and now out of the Shield, only the KPL Top 8 remains to fight for where they are paired against Chemelil Sugar in the quarter-finals that get underway this weekend.

The team that produced the 2014 Player of the Year as well as midfielder of the Year, Ekaliani Ndolo who has failed to get anywhere close to the heights this term has a daunting conclusion to the season that could see them toppled from the top three.

Ouma charges host fellow limping giants, AFC Leopards before welcoming unbeaten Gor before rounding up with tricky tests against Mathare United and Thika United.

AFC Leopards head coach, Zradvko Logarusic looks dejected during their final KPL first-leg clash of the season against Sofapaka after issues with raising a squad. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, September 21 – AFC Leopards head coach, Zdravko Logarusic, is concerned about the fitness of his charges after they laboured to progress to the third round of the GOtv Shield knock-out tournament over the weekend.

It took the Croatian’s magic to turn fortunes around when he introduced substitutes- Denis Dodi and Lamin Diallo- who scored to help Leopards overcome National Super League side, Wazito FC 2-1.

Go-slows have been the order of the day in The Den with  players boycotting training on several occasions after going three months without pay disrupting their training programme.

“Our problem is that I have seven players on the bench in any particular match but only one is always fit. The rest can only play for 20 minutes.

“Against Wazito, Bernard Mang’oli couldn’t play at all, Diallo although he scored the second goal, he told me he can only play for15 since he was under medication, Duncan Otieno didn’t train the entire week.

“Also we have our players who are a bit old, Ivan Anguyo and Joseph Njuguna but they are trying that’s why I take risks in every match we play and sometimes it pays sometimes it doesn’t. My job is to make decisions,” the 53-year-old former Gor Mahia tactician, said.

Lack of fitness has been evident in some of Ingwe matches in the SportPesa Premier League where they are seeking to fight to qualify for next season’s KPL Top 8 with four matches to wrap up a nightmare 2015 campaign.

Logarusic, who joined the 13-time champions this season, has been a source of inspiration to the team having managed to bring them back on track after returning from a four-game absence to guide them to a 1-0 league win over Western Stima that ended a six-match winless run.

“It doesn’t matter how much time I spend in the changing room to tell my players what they are supposed to do but people should know it’s not easy,” Logarusic added.

Despite the management woes that has seen two factions claim to be in control, the head coach who won the Shield with K’Ogalo in 2012 is focused on returning Ingwe to the continental competition and reclaiming the domestic cup they last won in 2013.

Leopards, placed sixth in the Premier League on 38 points, face a tough test this weekend when they battle it out with Tusker FC in the KPL Top 8 quarter-finals.

Ingwe will play their final match behind closed match against Sofapaka when the league resumes in October before tackling Mathare United, Muhoroni Youth and Tusker.

National sevens team captain Andrew Amonde in action during a past training session at RFUEA Grounds. PHOTO/ Raymond Makhaya.

Nairobi, September 22 – Kenya will have the opportunity to gauge their 2016 Africa Olympics qualifies opponents after Zimbabwe, Namibia and Uganda confirmed participation at this year’s Safari Sevens set for October 3 and 4 at Safaricom Stadium.

The three are among 16 teams that will battle for the Robin Cahill trophy held by Welsh Warriors who are expected to return to the two day international tournament where organisers target over 40,000 rugby enthusiasts.

Kenya will enter two teams, Shujaa and Moran to give newly appointed head coach, Benjamin Ayimba a platform to constitute a formidable 23-man squad that will be contracted by the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) for the regional Olympics qualifiers and 2015-16 Rugby World Sevens Series.

Ayimba’s major test will be in the Summer Games continental qualifiers scheduled for November in Johannesburg, South Africa where Kenya is seeded top as Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Madagascar, Senegal, Zambia, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria and Botswana start from the preliminary round.

As opposed to its tradition, Safari Sevens tournament Director, Godwin Karuga announced there will be no the schools category that usually curtain raises the competition that will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.

“We are going to go into a two day tournament because we are not able to have the age grade tournament since the schools are closed due to the ongoing teachers strike.

“We are going to have full international competition and it’s the practice that the Kenyan team will be asking for going into the Olympics qualifiers and getting ready for the IRB Sevens Series,” Karuga, who resigned as KRU board member last year, declared.

The tournament has attracted Sevens World Series core side Portugal, Spain, Italy, England Saxons, Samurai International, Newcastle Wailers, Iconz (Australia), South Africa’s Western Province and Olympics hosts Brazil who are expected in the country on Tuesday.

Awaiting confirmation are Sevens World Series core side, Argentina, South Africa franchise, the Pumas, Rwanda, Botswana and Morocco, with Karuga stating the remaining two slots will be on a first come first serve.

Kenya who settled for Plate last year, will be out to reclaim the title they last lifted in 2013.

FKF President, Sam Nyamweya during the launch of his election manifesto in 2011.

NAIROBI, September 23- World governing body, FIFA has directed the forthcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections to be compliant with the current statutes and in line with the last exercise held in 2011 to ward off possibility of rigging the outcome.

This was contained in a letter addressed to federation boss Sam Nyamweya dated Wednesday by acting Secretary General, Markus Kaittner, following proposed changes to the membership of FKF and guidelines of the polls adopted after the August 28 Annual General Meeting.

The world body is concerned changes could be abused by the incumbency led by Nyamweya who is seeking re-election as football chief to skew the polls in their favour.

“Bearing in mind that the election of the new FKF office bearers are planned for next November, we doubt that the changes can be implemented before and would also offer the possibility to anybody to accuse the current office bearers of manipulating the electorate to ensure their re-election,” FIFA said in their letter.

Among a raft of suggested alterations was to convert branches to reflect the country’s 47 geographical counties and increasing the number of voting delegates at the November 13 national exercise from 78 to 94.

The changes were adopted on September 14 by the Adhoc Committee formed after the AGM chaired by Nyamweya who is seeking a second term after the unification elections of October 28, 2011 that brought an end to parallel governing bodies.

The veteran football administrator who is increasingly playing the referee at an election he is taking part as a player, further appointed lawyer Donald Kipkorir to be the chairman of the FKF Elections Board on Wednesday.

“The changes from branches to counties can be envisaged even though it would be important to access the effect on the balance of different stakeholders represented in the General Meeting.

“As you might remember, the subject was discussed at length during the revision process and any change has to be evaluated very carefully. In addition, the proposed changes would imply to merge and organise the new entities to ensure the legitimacy and proper representation of the delegates,” Kaittner letter read in part.

“Under these circumstances, we deem that the amendments of FKF should be postponed until after the elections. The new elected leadership will then take charge of the process in close collaboration with FIFA and CAF.

“As such, the composition of the general assembly convened for the upcoming elections should be compliant with the current statutes and in line with the last general assemblies held by FKF,” the world body added.

Besides pushing through the amendments during the AGM, Nyamweya has bulldozed through an electoral code that has sought to bar those who are not in his stable from running for office besides playing a huge role in the constitution of both the electoral body and appeals committee.

In a memo, FKF CEO, Michael Esakwa acknowledged receipt of FIFA’s directions saying they will abide by them.

“Just received my letter appointing me the Chairman of Football KENYA Federation Elections Board! Kenya will get the Football Officials they want,” the outspoken lawyer Kiprkorir posted on his Facebook page with a picture of the appointment letter by the president.

Eric Obura (left), Sammy Sholei (centre) and Dan Shikanda when they announced their candidatures for the FKF Polls on September 23, 2015 in Nairobi. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, September 23- Re-instated Football Kenya Federation vice-president and retired international, Sammy Sholei, will run against his boss, Sam Nyamweya in the forthcoming polls after he formally declared his candidature in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Sholei will contest on a joint-ticket with fellow former internationals, Nairobi Representative, Dr. Dan Shikanda who’s suspension from football was also lifted during the August 28 FKF Annual General Meeting and Eric Obura as they seek to contest on a platform of bringing change in a game whose fortunes have plummeted.

The former Tusker FC midfielder joins FKF-Premier League chairman, Nick Mwendwa, former Gor Mahia forward, Ken Oliech and Gor Semelang’o, a former boss of the National Youth Fund in the race to oust Nyamweya during the November 13 national polls.

“Having been overwhelmingly elected as deputy president of Football Kenya Federations during the 2011 Elections, I was denied the mandate to roll out my vision when Nyamweya, engineered my suspension from football soon after.

“However, with his term soon coming to an end, I once again put forward my candidature and it is my belief I can right the wrongs of the past four years in a game that is the most popular sport yet most inefficiently managed in the country,” Sholei, who was suspended from all football activities for six years before the ban was lifted, said in a statement.

Sholei, who only enjoyed three months in power, believes he is the change that Kenyan football enthusiasts need as he accused the current office of corruption and poor management.

“The greatest motivation behind my candidature is to ensure the game often labelled as opium of the masses is used to foster national cohesion, engage youth in meaningful activity by giving them a livelihood and above all, ensure our nation is not left behind the global multibillion dollar boom.

“One of the biggest failures of the current and past regimes is to attract Government and private investment in the sport owning to inept management and widespread corruption owing to running the federation as a fiefdom,” the 48-year-old who also featured Rivatex FC underlined.

Sholei will be seeking to oust Nyamweya after stepping down for Hussein Mohammed in the 2011 elections where the Extreme Sports Super 8 boss was floored by the incumbent.

His ban was reversed by Sports Tribunal in August after the jury ruled the manner in which the federation and its president, Sam Nyamweya went about undertaking disciplinary measures was “fundamentally flawed and harsh.”

Shikanda, a former Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards player will be hoping to return to football management after he was suspended from his Nairobi seat.

The branch elections are scheduled for October 29 before branches elect delegates for the national exercise on November 5.

FKF Presidential candidate, Nick Mwendwa, prepares for a TV interview. He has urged full disclosure of correspondence betwen FKF and FIFA. PHOTO/Courtesy

NAIROBI, September 23- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential contestant, Nick Mwendwa is calling for the correspondence between the national body and FIFA that led to Wednesday’s directive to stick to the rules of the 2011 polls to be made public.

Reacting to Capital Sports fkf stop manipulating polls that outlined Fifa’s demands for the forthcoming sub-branch, branch and national elections that will be held between October 28 and November 13, Mwendwa read sinister motives in the world body’s orders.

“We resolved as stakeholders during the Annual General Meeting to adopt changes to the constitution of delegates and branches to counties.

“The FIFA letter referred to the potential changes in membership of FKF as tabled during the AGM which is not the position. FIFA normally does not go against resolutions of national assemblies,” the FKF-Premier League chairman said.

He read mischief that only contents of Wednesday’s letter by acting FIFA Secretary General, Markus Katter, were made public yet the letter addressed to federation boss, Sam Nyamweya started with “We refer to the recent exchanges”.

“It seems that correspondence by FKF to FIFA created the impression these were proposed rather than universally agreed changes. The letter did not also touch on the electoral code, only on the voting branches.

“This is against what we wanted to achieve. The status quo is conversant with the old system and it suits them well since they are familiar which whom they are dealing with and it is our wish full correspondence between FIFA and FKF is shown to us,” the Kariobangi Sharks chairman added.

He explained their push to have all 47 counties vote during the elections was to draw resources from their respective governments in a bid to open up more revenues to the game.

“For example, if you are the Kisii County chairman, you can go to the Governor of the region and get assistance on developing the game in that particular area. If this letter was sincere, then all others before it should be made public,” Mwendwa charged.

His allegations will only heighten fears the elections are being stage managed by the incumbency with Nyamweya keen to cling on to power despite the poor results on the international stage.

With FIFA also in the middle of a credibility storm, with the recent suspension of secretary and key president Sepp Blatter ally, Jerome Valcke over a World Cup ticketing scam, Mwendwa’s claims could drag the beleaguered world body into efforts to prop a discredited local administration in power.

It also shed dark clouds over FIFA’s assertion the proposed changes would have given players in the election an avenue to manipulate the elections.

Following the directive, 20 branches and 78 delegates, down from 94 will vote in the national polls.

Kenya Lionesses pose for a group photo after the travelling squad for Rio 2016 qualifiers was unveiled on September 23, 2015 in Nairobi. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, September 23 – National women sevens head coach, Mike Shamiah, has made one change in his squad of 12 that will do duty at this weekend’s 2016 Africa Olympics qualifiers in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Mwamba RFC’s Laventer Oguta replaces fly-half Doreen Remour in the only adjustment from the team that won bowl at the 2015-16 Rugby Sevens Women’s World Series qualifiers in Dublin, Ireland.

The Lioness are drawn in a relatively easy Pool B where they will face Tunisia, Senegal, Botswana and Madagascar but Shamiah says they will not down play any team as they seek to qualify for the Summer Games that will see the rugby sevens for both men and women make a debut.

“Doreen had personal commitments to deal with and we hope she will be back and be able to join us. The girls are psyched up; their hearts and minds are all set for the qualifiers.

“We have prepared well, the girls have worked hard in the last 11 weeks where they have shown a lot of positives. We have strategized on how to approach our opponents where we will take each game at a time. Each match has its own game plan and we believe we will have a good result,” Shamiah, stated when unveiling the squad on Wednesday.

Skipper, Catherine Abilla said the team is motivated after gaining experience in the World Series qualifiers where they played against giants Japan and Netherlands.

“We had good build up in Ireland because we never had any friendlies before to gauge our fitness. We will miss Doreen but his replacement is a player who is ready to take from where she left.

“We are mentally prepared and we would like to play as a team and for our country. Lack of fans will not affect us,” Abilla, who plays as a scrum-half underscored.

Kenya Rugby Union Director in charge of women development, Paula Lanco is hoping the team will play two warm up matches to be at par with the likes of Tunisia who arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday to acclimatize with the weather.

“The women’s team don’t have a sponsor so as much we would have preferred to be there earlier, we couldn’t since we don’t have finances. The invitation from world rugby required teams to start arriving by Thursday so any team that goes there prior that was on their own financial arrangement.

“If we are allowed play one or two warm up matches we will be happy,” Lanco stated.

Kenya who will depart on Thursday are aiming to progress to the final where they are likely to meet rivals South Africa who beat them in last year’s Confederation of African Rugby Cup final in Machakos.

-Squad-

Laventer Oguta, Camylyn Oyuayo, Rachel Mbogo, Janet Owino, Sheila Chajira, Catherine Abilla (captain), Irene Otieno, Celestine Masinde, Philadelphia Olando, Janet Okello, Sinaida Aura, Linet Moraa

Management

Mike Shamiah (Head Coach)

Ben Mahinda (Physio)

Sarah Ogolla (Team Manager)

Gor Mahia head coach, Frank Nutall. PHOTO/Raymond Makhaya

NAIROBI, September 24 – Gor Mahia head coach, Frank Nuttall anticipates a tough encounter against Muhoroni Youth when the two sides battle it out in Saturday’s KPL Top 8 quarter-final clash in Kisumu.

Nuttall who guided K’Ogalo to their third successive SportPesa Premier League title admitted fatigue is starting to catch up with his charges but was confident they will overcome it.

Both sides have their own bragging rights, with Gor boasting of their SportPesa Premier League unbeaten run while the sugar belt side are yet to taste defeat in the second-leg.

K’Ogalo will enter the match as favourites having taken control of the first-leg where they won 1-0 when they last meet but the Scotsman is not taking anything for chance.

“It will be another tough match but I believe we have recovered and hope to continue with our winning ways. We had a difficult week and having our fixture congested, our tempo has dropped. We must up our game,” Nuttall, who sees his one-year contract ending in November, stated.

Muhoroni face an uphill task in stopping the record 15-time national champions, having a poor head-to-head record where they have only managed to beat Gor once since they joined the top flight league in 2011.

However, they will be motivated by their second-leg impressive run with skipper Abbass Akinyemi warning the Cecafa Kagame Cup beaten finalists not to expect maximum points in a match where one will bow out.

“Gor is a fantastic team with good players we know each one of them but I think the game will be like their derby against AFC Leopards because they are unbeaten and we too are unbeaten in the second-leg. Nobody wants to spoil their unbeaten.

“We believe in ourselves and I’m sure by the end of the season we will have either the Top 8 or GOtv Shield in our cabinet,” Akinyemi, a former Tusker FC forward warned.

Both sides enter the clash from the back of wins in the GOtv Shield where Gor edged out Ushuru FC whilst Muhoroni sent home KCB.

K’Ogalo are expected to welcome left-back Abouba Sibomana who was sidelined for two matches with groin injury he picked while on international duty for Rwanda in September.

Muhoroni head coach, Paul Nkata has his all players available for selection after SJAK/SportPesa Player of the Month of August; George Mandela who missed KCB match recovered from a hamstring injury.

Having bagged the league and DSTV Super Cup, K’Ogalo are chasing two more titles this season, the Top 8 and GOtv Shield where they are through to the round of 16.

Other fixtures will see Chemelil Sugar square it out with Sofapaka in Kisumu’s early kick-off.

Defending champions Tusker FC will be up against cash-strapped AFC Leopards while Ulinzi Stars face Sony Sugar in a double header at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Sunday.

Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line oat the Berlin Marathon on September 27, 2015, winning the race in 2 hours, 4min. PHOTO/AFP

NAIROBI, September 28- Eliud Kipchoge is all but guaranteed a share of $500,000 (Sh52.7m) Abbott World Marathon Majors jackpot following Sunday’s victory in the German capital as the flapping insoles of his Nike shoes dominated the running world.

Kipchoge’s 2:04:00 was 63 seconds short of Dennis Kimetto’s World record set at the same course last year with debate raging whether the specially designed shoes contributed towards robbing the former 5000m world track champion a piece of history.

“It wasn’t a good day for me in these shoes, although they’re actually very good. I tested them in Kenya, but just had bad luck on the day. I had problems from the first kilometre. My goal was the world record but it wasn’t meant to be today,” the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quoted the former track star now sitting at the throne of marathon running.

“In an embarrassing display for Nike, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won the race but fell short of a world record after the neon-green insoles of his white running shoes came apart less than an hour into the competition,” WSJ reported.

Despite the failing shoes, Kipchoge added the Berlin title to his victories in the pristine races of Chicago crown last fall and London in April to open up an unassailable lead in WMM charts on 75 points.

His closest rivals for the jackpot are Wilson Kipsang and Kimetto and Kipchoge beat them both at the London Marathon in April.

Kipsang and Kimetto ran the World Championships in Beijing and registered DNFs thereby scoring no points while Kipchoge won his fourth straight marathon and third straight WMM.

November’s New York Marathon where Kipsang is returning to defend his crown is the only slim chance to overhaul arguably the number one marathoner in the world in the race for the jackpot.

“At some point they started coming out but I had no time to remove them. But when you run without soles there is a lot of impact. There was a lot of pain with every step,” the new Berlin king told Reuters.

His latest commanding performance after outlasting former marathon record holder and defending champion, Kipsang in London earned him plaudits across major international running media outlets.

“By the time he reached the finish, blistered and bloodied, there was little doubt that Eliud Kipchoge had established himself as the world’s best marathoner. The Kenyan routed the field at the Berlin Marathon on Sunday in a personal best of 2:04:00, finishing 81 seconds ahead of runner-up Eliud Kiptanui,” Runners World wrote.

“As was the 2:19:25 that Gladys Cherono ran to win the women’s race, Kipchoge’s time was the fastest in the world this year. But it was the circumstances under which Kipchoge dispatched the field that established him as the most formidable marathoner in the world,” they added.

-Berlin Museum-

The errant insoles also formed part of the glowing report and will no doubt be part of the history of what is officially the fastest marathon course.

“Race director Mark Milde, meanwhile, was busy talking to Kipchoge’s agent, seeing if he could secure Kipchoge’s infamous insoles for a permanent place in the marathon’s museum,” Running World stated.

Women’s winner, Gladys Cherono, almost stole the thunder from Kipchoge when she dropped another world leading 2:19:25 to enhance her reputation further after winning last year’s World Half Marathon title and the silver medal over 10,000m at the Moscow World Championships.

Still a newcomer to the marathon—she debuted in Dubai in January, finishing second in 2:20:03, she ran away from her nearest rival, Ethiopia’s Aberu Kebede, shortly after 35K and was a clear winner.

“There was no difficulties in the race. I was so strong. My next marathon I know I will run faster than today. I think now I can run under 2:19,” she stated after joining the elite list of sub 2:20 female marathoners.

Sinaida Aura of Kenya Lionesses evades a tackle during their Elgon Cup clash against Uganda in May. PHOTO/Raymond Mokhaya

NAIROBI, September 28 – After missing out on automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics Women’s Sevens at the continental qualifiers, Kenya will try their luck at the world repchage in June next year at a venue yet to be confirmed.

The Lioness lost 31-5 to hosts South Africa in the Main Cup finals of the African qualifiers on Sunday and will battle it out with Argentina, Russia, Ireland, Spain, Venezuela and Oceania for the remaining slot to join the Olympics party where the sport is making a debut.

Kenya reached the final after mauling Zimbabwe 39-0 in the semis having dispatched Madagascar 33-0 to top their pool with a 100 percent record.

The Lionesses will represent the continent alongside third finishers Tunisia and Zimbabwe to determine the 12th and final team to complete the list for the Rio-De Janeiro showpiece.

South Africa joined New Zealand, Canada, Australia and England (Team GB), who booked their place by finishing as the top four teams in the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series last season as well as Brazil who qualified by virtue of being hosts.

Colombia, USA and France made it through from their respective regional qualifiers with Oceania and Asia set to host theirs in November.

The Lioness are expected in the country on Tuesday to start preparations as they hope to strengthen from the two-day tournament which they entered after lifting the Bowl in the Rugby Women Sevens Series qualifies .

A women’s tournament at this weekend’s Safari Sevens could have helped the team keep playing momentum, but competition director, Godwin Karuga, said they were unable to host one as is tradition due to congestion of fixtures in the women’s Olympics qualifies.

“It was our desire to have the women’s tournament but because our team and the nations we could invite are busy seeking qualification for next year’s Olympics, we cannot reach at a number of teams required,” Karuga declared.

Kenya’s biggest threat in the repchage qualifiers are Argentina and Ireland who have structures for the women sevens game that is gaining popularity.

Dennis Oliech training when Harambee Stars was preparing for Zambia 2017 AFCON qualifier clash in Nairobi. PHOTO FILE/ Raymond Makhaya.

NAIROBI, September 28 – Former Harambee Stars captain, Dennis Oliech is among four notables axed as head coach Bobby Williamson named a 19-man provisional squad for October’s 2018 World Cup preliminary qualifier against Mauritius.

Also dropped are winger Paul Were who plies his trace at Greece’s Kalloni FC, Malaysian defender, Lawrence Olum as well as Tusker FC trio of strikers, Jesse Were, Danson Kago and midfielder, Humphrey Miano.

Surprisingly missing on the list is Gor Mahia defensive midfielder, Collins Okoth who was the Scotsman first choice in their 2-1 defeat over Zambia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Bandari FC left-back, Abdul Latif Omar will be making a comeback to the national team for the first time since 2013 when he was named for the COSAFA tournament while Peter Nzuki who features for Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Nakumatt FC and Ulinzi Stars midfielder, Kevin Amwayi are new inclusions.

Williamson has kept faith majority of the players who were involved in the Chipolopolo match led by skipper and Southampton FC midfielder, Victor Wanyama who is among nine foreign based named.

Norway’s Lillestrome custodian, Arnold Origi, Belgian based duo of winger, Ayub Timbe and midfielder, Johanna Omolo, South Africa’s Maritzburg United defender, Brian Mandela and Zambia’s Zesco United center-back, David ‘Calabar’ Owino were the foreign based players retained.

Stars who are yet to register a win in the 2017 Gabon AFCON qualifiers after playing two rounds, will be seeking to start their road to Russia World Cup journey on a high when they travel to Mauritius on the weekend of October 7.

The aggregate winner of the two-legged tie will then face Cape Verde for another qualifier before progressing to the group draw.

-Squad–

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (Lillestrom, NOR), Boniface Oluoch (Gor Mahia, KEN)

Defenders: David Owino (Zesco Utd, ZAM), David Ochieng’ (Unattached), Dennis Odhiambo (Thika Utd, KEN), Brian Mandela (Maritzburg Utd, RSA), Edwin Wafula (AFC Leopards, KEN), Abdul Latif Omar (Bandari FC, KEN)

Midfielders: Bernard Mang’oli (AFC Leopards, KEN), Peter Nzuki (Nakumatt, KEN), Kevin Amwayi (Ulinzi Stars, KEN), Johanna Eric (Mathare Utd, KEN), Teddy Akumu (Al Khartoum, SUD), Johanna Omolo (Royal Antwerp, BEL), Victor Wanyama (Southampton, ENG), Ayub Timbe (SK Lierse, BEL)

Strikers: Michael Olunga (Gor Mahia, KEN), Allan Wanga (Azam FC, TZ), Jacob Kelli (Nkana Red Devils, ZAM).

KFK Vice-president Robert Asembo (left) and President Sam Nyamweya (centre) in a NEC meeting in Eldoret. The two have been urged to quit the federation by NEC member Tom Alila.

NAIROBI, September 29 – Football Kenya Federation (FKF) refuted claims it misled world governing body FIFA on resolutions adopted at the August 28 Annual General Meeting following claims by a presidential candidate the incumbency was scheming to manipulate the forthcoming football elections.

In a statement, FKF claimed the decision was unanimously endorsed by all delegates during the third AGM that agreed among others to have the national governing body increase its branches from 20 to 47 to align it with counties.

FKF insisted neither the National Executive Committee nor National Secretariat can alter the adopted matters by the AGM.

“As is custom, the decision adopted by the AGM of August 28 were prepared by the Secretary General and conveyed to FIFA without any alterations whatsoever and it is therefore unbecoming of any individual to impute improper motive in communicating with the FIFA headquarters in Zurich,” part of the statement read.

The federation claimed presidential candidate; namely Nick Mwendwa, who spoke to Capital Sport on an alleged plot to skew the election in favour of sitting boss, Sam Nyamweya and his cronies, was planning to organise demonstration against FIFA.

This is after the global body advised against implementing the proposed new structure in the 2015 elections calling on ‘Kenyans to dismiss any calls for mass action.’

“It is therefore deplorable that one presidential aspirant is now resorting to use colossal sums of money whose source is not well known, to protest.

“FIFA is the world governing body and as such have the full authority over any matter related to football in territories affiliated to it. Moreover, member associations including having an obligation to follow statues, decisions and directives of FIFA as envisaged under Article 13 of the FIFA Statures,” the federation asserted.

Last week, Mwendwa called for the correspondence between the national body and FIFA that led to the directive to stick to the rules of the 2011 polls to be made public.

He read mischief that only contents of the letter by acting FIFA Secretary General, Markus Katter, were made public yet the letter addressed to federation boss, Sam Nyamweya started with “We refer to the recent exchanges”.

FKF reaffirmed its commitment to conducting “a free, fair and transparent election as underscored by the decision to have National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to oversee the elections.”

“The aspirant who is complaining has been involved at every stage in the process of adopting elections rules and guidelines as well as the appointment of the Elections and Appeals Boards.

“For him to turn around and feign ignorance of matters and allude foul play is pretentious and should be treated with the contempt it deserves,” FKF added.

“We confirm that the process of vetting the club’s list as presented to the National Secretariat by branches and sub-branches is underway and it will involve thorough scrutiny of the names presented to ensure only genuine clubs have the chance to participate in the elections.”